Are You A Sex Addict?

Does It Make Sense To Call Sex Addiction A Disease?

Addiction can come in many forms. While many people think of alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs there are indeed many other forms of addiction, including sex addiction. If you have been concerned about your partner's odd behaviors or changing desire for sex and are concerned that their behaviors have crossed the line into addiction territory there are some telltale sign that are discussed below.

Lack of Desire for Intimacy - While this may at first sound like the exact opposite of sex addiction it is a common sign. When a person gets to a level in which their desire for sex is so strong and overpowering the need for a fix may no longer be fulfilled by their regular partner. The need for frequent sex or a particular type of sex may lead your partner somewhere other than your bedroom together, but they are getting their fix somewhere.

An Obsession With Experimentation - While it is natural and healthy for you and your partner to experiment in your intimate life, a sex addict's need for trying new things goes from experimentation to obsession. If your partner's requests and desires are getting more and more unusual or they are getting progressively frustrated with your uninterest and desire to further experiment it could be a sign of sex addiction.

Secretive Online Activity - While it is easy to get caught up in social media and online gaming neither are habits that need to happen behind closed doors. If your partner is displaying secretive behavior while online - hiding the screen, closing the laptop when you walk in the room, or spending long amounts of time surfing online behind a locked doors it is not only a clue that they are hiding something from you, but that they may be fulfilling their needs of their addiction online.

Gets Angry When You Decline Intimacy - It is natural for your partner to be disappointed when you are not interested in intimacy when they are, however it is concerning if their disappointment turns into anger. Both partners in a relationship will not be interested from time to time and your relationship should be such that you take it with a grain of salt. However, for a sex addict, sex is their fix or their drug so turning them down can create extreme frustration that turns into anger.

Has An Addictive Personality - Sex addiction often goes hand in hand with other addictions. If your partner is struggling with other addictions and is displaying the above behaviors they may be swapping one addiction from another or they have possibly developed a new addiction - sex addiction.

The circumstances that trigger sex addiction are still not fully understood, however the addiction is real. If you feel like your partner may have developed a sex addiction have an honest and loving conversation with them. If they are able to recognize their behaviors and are ready and willing to seek help you can reach out to a qualified sex addiction counselor.